Centre made a discretionary decision on 7th CPC Terms of Reference – National Council JCM

July 6, 2014

Centre made a discretionary decision on 7th CPC Terms of Reference – National Council JCM

In its foreword of the 7th CPC Memorandum prepared by the National Council JCM Staff Side, the National Council has said that the Centre has made a discretionary decision regarding the 7th CPC Terms of Reference. The writeup also adds that the Centre did not consult with them prior to formulating the Terms of Reference for the 7th Pay Commission.

The Prime Minister has given his approval to the composition of the 7th CPC on 4th February 2014 and the Union Cabinet gave its approval to the 7th CPC Terms of Reference on 28.02.2014.

On 01.01.2011, when the Dearness Allowance touched 50%, the Central Government employees started to strengthen their demand to add it to the Basic Pay. Some of them demanded setting up of the 7th CPC on the plea that the residency period of any wage structure must not exceed 5 years, especially in the background that the pay revision in most of the PSUs takes place at the interval of 5 years. The Government turned a deaf ear to them.

After implementation of pay band and grade pay, there was plethora of anomalies, common as well as department specific. None of these anomalies were removed despite several rounds of discussions. And Government refused to discuss these demands either bilaterally or at the forum of JCM

The Confederation of Central Government Employees successfully conducted a 2-day protest. Defence and Railway employees too were ready to join the protests. Just when it looked as if confrontation was imminent, in September 2013, the Centre announced the formation of the 7th Pay Commission. The protests were dropped when the Government accepted their demands.

While formulating the Terms of Reference, there was a general expectation that the Government would consider the 6-point demand that was debated upon at the Standing Council NC JCM meeting that was held on 24.10.2013.

6-point demands are…
The Commission should have a labour representative.
DA (as on 1.1.2014) to be merged and treated as pay for all purposes.
To include Gramin Dak Sewaks within the ambit of 7th CPC.
To grant Interim Relief @ 25% of Pay + GP.
To ensure that the 7th CPC recommendation will be effective from 1.1.2014.
To ensure parity in pension for all pensioners as per the 5th CPC recommendation.

They were also hoping that another meeting would be held before the final Terms of Reference were decided. But the Government made a discretionary decision regarding and 7th CPC Terms of Reference. None of the important demands presented by the association made the final list.

In its Memorandum to the 7th Pay Commission, the National Council has presented the twin issues, i.e. the need to grant interim relief and merger of Dearness Allowance.

The 98-page long report to the 7th Pay Commission prepared by the members of National Council JCM Staff Side, incorporating all the suggestions and demands presented by all the representative of employees involved. The National Council also hopes that all Central Government employees, Associations/ Federations/Unions would accept and support the demands raised by them in the memorandum.

The Memorandum consists of expectations and requirements of common for all the Central Government employees. No doubt they will submit separate memorandum on department specific issues.

The 7th Pay Commission is bound to take note of this report and its recommendations.